512MB GDDR3 8600GT vs. 256MB GDDR3 8800GT

[praveen]

ASUS EN8600GT SILENT 512MB GDDR3 HTDP Dual DVI HDCP HDTV out PCI-E Graphics
Card - 79 GBP

256MB XFX 8800GT PCI-E (x16), 1400 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 600 MHz, 2 x Dual Link DVI-I HDTV - 117.36 GBP

my gutt feeling is the 8800GT is superior(though it is 256 MB) but it is
a. out of stock
b. 40 UK pounds expensive than 8600GT

if this is the case how bad is the 8600GT card? can it run UT3 or crysis at 1680x1050

what do u guys think?

 

[Elfear]

It won't even be a contest. It would be like The Rock vs. Richard Simmons. If you can afford the 8800GT, than grab it. The 512MB version is even better if you plan to play at 1680x1050 with AA and high details. You need all the card you can afford for Crysis. I can play at 1680x1050 with details at high and no AA with decent frames, and that's at 740/1836/1900 with my 8800GT.

 

[taltamir]

The 8800GT will annihilate the 8600GT... probably tripling the FPS...

The 8600GT performs WORSE then a 7900GS 256MB (which I currently have)... and the 8800GT suppsedly gets 3 times or more the FPS on most games then the 7900GS...

Basically there are only 4 cards worth buying right now (which are actually 2 chips each with two ram sizes):
8800GT 512
8800GT 256
3870 - 15% slower than the 512MB GT.
3850 - same speed as 3870 on low res, 10-15% slower than 3870 on 1680x1050 / 1920x1200.

The only cards that got get ANNIHILATED in performance by those cards are overpriced:
8800 GTX = 5% faster then 8800GT 512 and costs 500+
8800 Ultra = 5% faster then GTX and costs 700+
x2900XT = between 3850<2900XT<3870 and it costs 450+.
8800GTS 320MB/640MB are slightly slower then the 8800GT and cost 350+ / 450+ depending on the version... both being ripoffs.

So basically there is absolutely NO reason to buy anything else.
If you don't have much money go for a 3850 for 180$ (should be about 80GBP like the 8600). It will still be more then TWICE the speed of the 8600.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: taltamir
Basically there are only 4 cards worth buying right now (which are actually 2 chips each with two ram sizes):
8800GT 512
8800GT 256
3870 - 15% slower than the 512MB GT.
3850 - same speed as 3870 on low res, 10-15% slower than 3870 on 1680x1050 / 1920x1200.

Where exactly are you getting that info?

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: taltamir
Basically there are only 4 cards worth buying right now (which are actually 2 chips each with two ram sizes):
8800GT 512
8800GT 256
3870 - 15% slower than the 512MB GT.
3850 - same speed as 3870 on low res, 10-15% slower than 3870 on 1680x1050 / 1920x1200.

Where exactly are you getting that info?

anandtech's review... you know, the website on whose forums we are talking...

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=6

3870: % of GeForce 8800 GT Performance:
Resolution: 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200 1920 x 1200 2560 x 1600
Average 83.1% 85.3% 85.8% 87.6%


I have also made a chart of the differenced between all three cards at 1920x1200:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=31&threadid=2119503

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: taltamir

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: taltamir
Basically there are only 4 cards worth buying right now (which are actually 2 chips each with two ram sizes):
8800GT 512
8800GT 256
3870 - 15% slower than the 512MB GT.
3850 - same speed as 3870 on low res, 10-15% slower than 3870 on 1680x1050 / 1920x1200.

Where exactly are you getting that info?

anandtech's review... you know, the website on whose forums we are talking...

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=6

Lol, and because we're on these forums there's no other sites elsewhere?
That Anand review didn't even show what ingame settings they used for the games!!! You can't even replicate any of those tests.

For example, in Crysis, there's no way either card gets those scores at high or very high settings.

 

[praveen]

You have done a great job in charting those comparisons...

did you use a 512 8800GT for this comparison?

would a 256MB 8800 GT still beat the other two ATI cards (3850, 3870)?

 

[bryanW1995]

I haven't seen any 256mb 8800gt results, but it should be at least 10-15% faster than 3850, maybe even 20% since it isn't supposed to have the slower clocks vs the 512 mb version like 3850 does vs 3870. Probably the card for you to get at 1680x1050 is either the 8800gt 256 or, if you can find it for a similar price, a 3850 oc 512. gecube and powercolor make them for sure but I haven't seen any for sale anywhere yet.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: praveen
You have done a great job in charting those comparisons...

did you use a 512 8800GT for this comparison?

would a 256MB 8800 GT still beat the other two ATI cards (3850, 3870)?

Yes that review is with a 512mb GT...AFAIK the 256mb cards aren't out yet.

Search around the web for reviews. Don't just base your buying decision on ONE review. The 8800GT is faster overall than the 3870, but the difference becomes less when going to higher resolutions...just from that Anand review. Also, at lower res, the actual fps of the cards are high enough that you wouldn't notice much of a difference anyway, in which case your decision should be made on other things like price, noise, warranty, etc.

And between the 3850 and the 3870, I'm fairly certain the 3850 256mb card loses to the 3870 even at low res.

The 8800GT 256mb will probably beat the 3850 but going to higher res will kill both cards.

What resolution do you game at?

 

[taltamir]

Thank you praveen.
the 256MB was not available at the time... in fact it is still not available as every manufacturer uses up their G92 chips for the 512MB versions which sell out everywhere...
I have yet to see a review for one... but I would like to, and I would like to buy one aswell.

And thilian... I also looked at many other reviews... they all agree... I saw one review that claimed the 3870 is 40% slower and one that claimed it is 7% slower...
But almost all the reviews say it is about 15% slower.

 

[praveen]

Thanks for your reply...

1680x1050 -- 22'' Widescreen and nothing more than that for another two years atleast.

I also plan to use dual screens!

So will a 8800GT 256mb be sufficient for this purpose?

Search around the web for reviews. Don't just base your buying decision on ONE review.

-- Googling and seeing other forums... i have definitely gained immense trust on you guys!

256MB XFX 8800GT PCI-E (x16), 1400 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 600 MHz, 2 x Dual Link DVI-I HDTV -- Available for pre-order.

 

[secretanchitman]

8800GT will OBLITERATE the 8600GT. no question.

256MB will be...okay at 1680x1050. i'd personally get the 512MB.

 

[praveen]

Thanks guys...

any help on my other topic would be extremely appreciated...

 

[taltamir]

at 1680x1050 you will definitely get a BENEFIT from the extra ram... but weather to get it or not depends on your budget...

also check that preorder... that item is overdue since 4 days ago... that is. It was supposed to come out 4 days ago but not a single one was made yet... and not a single one WILL be made until the feeding frenzy on the 512MB models is over... when you have them in stock everywhere, only THEM will the manufacture a 256MB model (to do otherwise will be stupidly wasting G92 chips on a cheaper, lower margin product... when they can sell out on the higher margin one)

 

[praveen]

well reasoned...

the more I think about it the more i am getting convinced to go for a 512 8800GT.

Anyways its now between 512 and 256 cards (even the 512MB GT cards are out of stock in most places in UK)

Will wait untill Xmas with fingers crossed I'll get a deal.

Thanks to yourself all other pros who has helped me in this post.

 

[praveen]

Another graphics card related question...

can we convert a Dual Link DVI out from the graphics card to an analog only VGA for VGA monitors?

Is this the kind of adapter used?

Any suggestions?? (this will let me use my VGA monitor with the 8800GT temporarily untill I get a 22'')

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: praveen
Another graphics card related question...

can we convert a Dual Link DVI out from the graphics card to an analog only VGA for VGA monitors?

Is this the kind of adapter used?

Any suggestions?? (this will let me use my VGA monitor with the 8800GT temporarily untill I get a 22'')

Usually you'll get DVI-vga adapters with your video card...most likely you'll get 2 of them.

 

[praveen]

Thanks thilan29

1 x DVI-VGA adapter
1 x S-Video cable

 

[Inspector Jihad]

the 512MB is 256 more than the 256MB and the 8600 is only 200 less than the 8800, so the best choice is the 512 8600gt.

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
the 512MB is 256 more than the 256MB and the 8600 is only 200 less than the 8800, so the best choice is the 512 8600gt.

The math checks out :laugh:

 

[JimiP]

You will get a very low FPS with the 512MB 8600GT in Crysis. Even if you do have 256MB less on the 8800GT... You will have a much and by much I mean, "HOLY !@#% BATMAN!!!" more performance out of it.

 

[praveen]

thanks Inspector Jihad.

can you suggest a budget but good performance mobo for this card?

I was initially wanting to go for a Q6600 but after going thu the forums settled with a

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, S775, 2.33 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, Conroe Core, 4MB Cache, Retail

Is this a decent processor and will this hold good for future(for 2 years maybe)??

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: praveen
thanks Inspector Jihad.

can you suggest a budget but good performance mobo for this card?

I was initially wanting to go for a Q6600 but after going thu the forums settled with a

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, S775, 2.33 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, Conroe Core, 4MB Cache, Retail

Is this a decent processor and will this hold good for future(for 2 years maybe)??

wait, you do realize he was joking? just checking

 

[praveen]

ofcourse... but still got to appreciate his efforts... (he is the INSPECTOR JIHAD!)

 

[lyssword]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059 looks good. Processor would be good if you overclock it to lets say 3ghz